At Least 16 Students Killed in Fire at Kenyan Girls School Dorm

Fire Breaks Out at Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, Kenya

At least 16 students have been killed and 79 injured in a fire that broke out overnight at the Utumishi Girls School in Gilgil, Nakuru County, central Kenya. Education Minister Julius Ogamba confirmed the fatalities and injuries on Thursday.

According to police, the cause of the fire is currently unknown. Rescue efforts are being led by the authorities, with officers combing areas around the facility for any students who may have fled during the incident. Footage from the scene shows broken window panes and smoke-stained walls.

The school is located approximately 120km northwest of Nairobi. The incident has been reported in a town that has experienced similar incidents in the past. In 2018, over 60 cases of arson in public secondary schools were recorded, with many attributed to student protests against discipline and living conditions.

In recent years, there have been several school fires resulting in loss of life. In 2024, a fire at a primary boarding school in Nyeri County killed 21 students, while in 2017, 10 students died in a school fire in Nairobi.

Source: Al Jazeera